3M (NYSE: MMM) reported earnings on Oct. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended Sep. 30 (Q3), 3M missed slightly on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue was unchanged and GAAP earnings per share increased.

Margins grew across the board.

Revenue details
 3M reported revenue of $7.50 billion. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ hoped for sales of $7.63 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 0.5% lower than the prior-year quarter's $7.53 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 EPS came in at $1.65. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $1.65 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.65 for Q3 were 8.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.52 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
 For the quarter, gross margin was 47.5%, 100 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 22.4%, 140 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 15.5%, 110 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $7.32 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.51.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $29.97 billion. The average EPS estimate is $6.40.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 4,429 members out of 4,577 rating the stock outperform, and 148 members rating it underperform. Among 1,300 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 1,280 give 3M a green thumbs-up, and 20 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on 3M is outperform, with an average price target of $98.71.

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